The AIMS Festival Orchestra offers
FREE tuition
FREE housing
AIMS meal plan
Orchestra contract
AIMS Festival Orchestra
2025 features
a concert
in Vienna
at the
Musikverein – Goldener Saal
AIMS provides a unique opportunity for experienced instrumentalists to perform with a professional-level orchestra under the direction of internationally acclaimed European conductors. As a one-of-a-kind training experience, the program maintains the highest musical standards and provides an exciting and rewarding educational experience. For many players, AIMS serves as excellent preparation for professional auditions and can serve as a starting point for auditioning in Europe. Instrumentalists from all countries are welcome to audition for AIMS. The orchestra roster will be posted on March 15.
Members of the AIMS Festival Orchestra receive free housing, breakfast 7 days a week/lunch Monday-Friday, German classes (and participation in other classes) while paying NO TUITION.
All orchestra members are required to pay a deposit, administrative fee and health insurance fee which are due when the contract is signed and returned. (Please see the sample contract below for more details.) Orchestra members are responsible for paying for their own flights to and from Graz. Additionally orchestra members will need extra spending money for internet, laundry, meals, travel around Graz, etc.
The Repertoire
The program includes five orchestral concerts in major venues throughout Graz. Several concerts are repeated in other Austrian venues. The repertoire is primarily operatic, with occasional symphonic works and excerpts with solo instrumental passages. A recital series also provides instrumentalists the opportunity for solo performances and chamber music ensembles.
2025 Planned Repertoire
Bruckner – Symphony #7
Ravel – Daphnis et Chloe Suite #2
Shostakovich – Festive Overture
Bellini – Il Pirata Overture
Prokofiev – Romeo & Juliet (excerpts)
Enescu – Romanian Rhapsody #1
Ravel – Alborada del gracioso
Adams – The Chairman Dances
Verdi – Ballet Music from Don Carlos
Respighi – The Fountains of Rome
Mendelssohn – Der schöne Melusine Overture
Bernstein – Divertimento for Orchestra (Mvts 1-4)
Verdi – Quattro Stagione – L’Autunno from Sicilian Vespers
Plus various arias & ensembles from the Operatic Repertoire
The Contract
As compensation, members of the AIMS Festival Orchestra receive free room, partial board, German classes and participation in other classes while paying no tuition.
Included in your contract:
- Housing in suites of 2-3 single private sleeping rooms with shared bathroom.
- Breakfast daily
- Lunch Monday – Friday
- Travel and meals for concerts performed outside Graz.
- Participation in courses and events:
- Daily conversational German Classes for Musicians
- Lectures, mock auditions and Master Classes
- Opportunities for individual and small ensemble performance
- Transportation of certain large instruments is provided from and to North American gateway cities.
Not included:
- Airfare or travel to Graz
- Orchestra deposit ($300), Administrative Fee ($75) and Health Insurance Fee ($85)
- Health Insurance Fee for participants whose citizenship requires a travel visa to enter Austria is $100.
- $100 Travel Visa Processing Fee (This fee is only for participants whose citizenship requires a travel visa to enter Austria.)
- Check here to see if your citizenship requires an Austrian entry visa https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/who-needs-schengen-visa/
- Money for laundry, internet, other meals, etc.
Click HERE to read the AIMS Limits of Responsibility
